The busier we get, the more the concept of being organised comes into play. If we are going to successful and  enjoy our lives while doing so, then we need to figure it out. A few tips on how to stay organise without loosing your marbles or having to overthink it.

 1. CALENDARS

Whether you are a fan of the digital calendar or you prefer the paper version, then a calendar is a major factor in staying organised.

I personally prefer the paper version as I am better at remembering things I have written, I also like to write notes that I can refer to at a later date and know exactly what date it happened on. 

Tip: As soon as you have made an appointment, put it on the calendar don’t tell yourself you will remember to do it later, chances are you won’t. Get into the habit of checking the calendar nightly before bed so you are aware what your day looks like tomorrow or first thing in the morning to avoid surprises. 

The good thing about digital calendars is that you can set reminders. 15 minutes before the board meeting, a day before the dentist appointment, what ever you need to keep you on track. Even though I prefer a paper calendar I do like the digital reminders from the calendar to help me keep my day running smoothly

 2.  TO-DO-LIST

These are my favorite weapons, I cannot get through life without to-do-list. I make list for every aspect of my life including daily living and definitely for work. As I prefer the  paper version calendar I have a daily diary that goes everywhere with me, every year I purchase a new one and years later I can refer to older ones for information which would ordinarily been lost. This is where I record my work related to-do-list.

To-Do-List are not only helps keep you on track, they allow you to know at all times what you are working on, allows you to priorities the most urgent tasks and can also help keep you motivated just by you being able to tick off items completed. 

Tip: Create/Finalise your list at the end of the working day for the next day or first thing in the morning, this ensure you know exactly where your day is heading. Transfer any items not completed to the next day.

Try to be realistic, adding a ton of task to a list that is not possible to complete can be demotivating.

3. PLANNING, PLANNING, PLANNING

We all know it works, once we see the results, even if something doesn’t go as plan, we are still able to recover easier. The trick to it is not to spend loads of time on creating a plan as it then defeats the purpose and also not to overthink or get bogged down in the smaller details. Leave that for the execution phase.

“By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail” – Benjamin Franklin

How to plan like a boss? 

Monthly and weekly sessions of not more than thirty (30) mins to an hour. Making the time for it will be worth it and giving it your undivided attention while doing it will see the best results.

What you should be planning?

Any area of your life you need to run smoothly, that can be, the weekly/monthly grocery shopping, your exercise routine, meals, after school or work activities, travel, hobbies. All of it.

Tip: Automate some of it, download a supermarket app, that way you can build the list as time goes by without too much effort and you always have it with you. I started using myShopi https://download.cnet.com/myShopi-Grocery-list/3000-2649_4-75619333.html about 5 years ago and it has made my life so much easier. Your days of being in the supermarket and your list being at home are over. You can also share the list with your partner or assistant with the click of a few buttons.

4. DECLUTTER 

Declutter has easily became one of my favorite topics in the last two (2) years, I keep preaching the praises of having a decluttered home and mind. I am of the opinion that too many pieces keep your brain fogged and you gain so much clarity when there is less. That can be a whole discussion in itself, but for now decluttering as it related to being organised.

Simple, by knowing where things are you are more efficient, you spend less time looking for things, thereby being less frustrated. The best way to avoid clutter, is by making sure everything has a home, (if it doesn’t have a home, do you even need it?). By items having a home, then you know exactly where to go look for it, but most importantly you need to also learn to put things back where you take them from. (Yes, just as your parents thought you). 

After being stuck at home a whole day and having to cancel appointments because I couldn’t find my keys, I now have a key tray. I walk through the door, the keys go the tray. Easy

 5. UNSUBSCRIBE

Technology has taken over our lives and it has brought some good and some not so good. One of the drawbacks to technology is that it encourages us to waste time and it is also invasive (if you allow it to be).

Again, this could be a whole discussion on its own, but as it relates to being organise, start by unsubscribing from all the unnecessary mailing lists. First off, it’s another form of clutter, you are unable to see the important items in your mail box because you have all these flyers and messages of advertising blocking your view. 

I hired a card in South Africa ten (10) years ago and recently the car rental company started sending me specials…why?! Unsubscribe 

These messages are also tempting to some persons, you click on the link and next thing you know you have just bought more clutter you don’t need or wasted an hour watching videos of cats doing stunts.

Tip: Create folders in your inbox – acts as a virtual filing cabinets and you don’t waste time trying to find emails

Trying to stay organised can seem like a taunting task but if you start by organising one area of your life and maintaining that with these tips, you will eventually get a handle on it without causing yourself too much anxiety.